UC-NRLF 


LYRICS   OF    A   LAD 


LYRIC  SOFA 
LAD 


SCHARMEL  IRIS 

WITH  A  PREFACE 

MAURICE  FRANCIS  EGAN 


SEYMOUR.  DAUGHADAY  6  CO 


Copyright  1914     By  F.  Scharmcl  Iris,     Chicago     Translation  rights  reserved 


To  that  patron  of  arts  and  lover  of  Italy 
MRS.  HAROLD  F.  McCoRMicK 


J :; 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE 

The  courteous  acknowledgments  of  the  author  are  extended 
to  The  Century  Magazine,  The  Little  Review,  Atlantic 
Monthly,  Scribners  Magazine,  The  Forum,  Poetry  and  the 
Cosmopolitan,  of  America;  The  Cork  Examiner,  Freeman  s 
Journal  and  Dublin  Review,  of  Ireland;  and  The  English 
Review  and  Elackwood's,  of  England. 

The  frontispiece  is  a  reproduction  of  a  Eugene  R.  Hutchin- 
son  photograph.  The  title  page  decoration  is  by  Michele 
Greco. 


will  interest  the  public  to  know  that  Federico 
Scharmel  Iris  was  born  February  tenth, 
eighteen-eighty-nine,  at  Florence,  Italy.  He  is 
the  first  of  the  Italians  in  America  to  write  po 
etry  in  English.  Richard  Le  Gallienne,  Will 
iam  Dean  Howells  and  the  late  Francis  Thompson  were  a 
few  of  the  many  to  express  appreciation.  He  asks  that  the 
work  shall  stand  solely  on  its  merits.  His  poems  first  won 
him  favor  with  John  Ruskin,  the  critic,  and  Swinburne,  the 
poet, — two  men  of  mark  of  our  age.  Through  these  two  gen 
iuses,  I  discovered  that  the  new  poet  was  an  Italian  graft  on 
an  Illinois, — peach  tree  is  perhaps  the  best  word, — though  I 
have  never  seen  peach  trees  in  Chicago, — and  I  then  read 
his  poems  with  renewed  interest.  I  did  not  find  them 
Illinoisian;  but  I  did  find  in  his  poems  the  color  and  the 
freshness,  the  inexpressible  glowing,  almost  lucent  tints  of 
the  peach  blossom,  the  warm  lure  of  Spring  and  of  love  and 
of  hope.  The  healthful  cold  of  the  winter,  with  all  its  frost 
pangs,  gave  beauty  to  the  roseate  blossoms,  as  the  busy  life 
of  the  poet  has  helped  to  make  the  delicate  bloom  of  his 
Spring  delightful.  Life  has  taught  him,  that  the  gift  of 
song  is  a  solace,  and  he  says  that  speechless  hearts  must  be 
sadder  than  his  own. 


[VII] 


In  this  little  garden  of  a  young  poet  the  lilacs  bloom, 
the  daffodils  cover  the  green  with  their  gold,  the  blue  flower 
de  luce  nods  in  the  Spring  wind,  and  all  is  beauty  and 
simplicity,  and  at  night  the  lute  of  the  morning  is  changed 
for  the  'cello;  the  tones  of  the  singer  are  deeper  and  more 
sonorous,  and  the  moon  comes  up,  and  his  moods  follow  her 
with  the  tide.  His  book  is,  then, — under  the  sun  or  moon, 
the  garden  of  a  young  poet,  who  forgets  the  brevity  of  his 
life  and  the  reality  of  his  griefs  in  the  joy  of  the  art  he 

cultivates.    You  are  invited  to  step  into  his  garden. 

•^ 

MAURICE  FRANCIS  EGAN, 

American  Minister  to  Denmark. 
Copenhagen. 


[VIII] 


CONTENTS 


PRESAGE 13 

TRIO  OF  SPRING  SONGS 15 

HE  HEART-CRY  OF  THE  CELTIC  MAID 17 

TRANSITION      18 

THE    WITCH 19 

CANZONETTA     20 

VITA    NUOVA 21 

WEIRD    OF    DOOM 22 

REDWINGED    BLACKBIRD 24 

THE   UGLY  WOMAN 25 

A-BURGEONING 26 

CANZONA  AMOROSA    27 

THE  FOREST  OF  THE  SKY 28 

LADY  OF  THE  TITIAN  HAIR 29 

MARY'S  QUEST  30 

SAPPHO'S  LAST  SONG 31 

SUNRISE     IN     JULY 33 

HAD    I    THY    LOVE 34 

THE    FRIAR    OF    GENOA 36 

THE    MAD    WOMAN 38 

IN    ITALY     39 

HER    WAITING     40 

-^WTT  TGHT    LULLABY     41 

OORATION     42 

LA    TARANTELLA     43 

BALLAD    OF    LOVE-DENIED 44 

CASKET    OF    INNOCENCE.  .                                                                      .  46 


VISION    OF    TWO    LOVERS 47 

BIRTH     OF    THE    DAFFODIL 49 

WERE    YOU    BUT    MINE 50 

FOREBODING     52 

LYRIC    OF    A    LOVER 54 

THE    LEOPARD     55 

FANTASY  OF   DUSK   AND   DAWN 56 

A    FISHERMAN    SPEAKS 57 

REVELATION     58 

HEROES 59 

HER   ROOM     60 

DANTE   IN   RAVENNA 61 

BEATA  BEATRIX 62 

THE  GOLDEN  WITCH 63 

THREE  APPLES 65 

MINIATURE  LYRICS 

APRIL 69 

SCARLET-WHITE 69 

LYRIC 70 

LATE  JANUARY 70 

ITERATION 71 

SONG    FOR    A   ROSE 71 

THE    FLOWER    SKY 72 

WHY    DO    YOU    WEEP  ? 72 

NOTTURNO 73 

INTERPRETATION 73 

THE    LITTLE    BIRDS 74 

A    HEART    THROB     74 

EVENING     75 

EARLY  NIGHTFALL 75 

A  NAMELESS  PRAYER 76 

THE    VISIONARY     76 

LAMENT 77 

AFTER  THE  MARTYRDOM 77 


LYRICS  OF  A  LAD 


LYRICS  OF  A  LAD 


PRESAGE 

HUSH  thee,  rest  thee,  little  son 

Upon  my  quiet  breast ! 
My  rose-red  blood  runs  fast  and  warm, 

O  sacred  seedling  blest! 
It  thrills  the  very  soul  of  me 
To  hear  thy  heart  beat  joyously. 


The  marvel  of  thy  magic  hand 
(Like  rose-leaf  held  in  mine)  ; 

Two  tiny  feet  that  press  my  side — 
Thrill  in  my  veins  like  wine; 

Did  Mary  ever  feel  more  bliss 

Than  I,  when  my  sweet  babe  I  kiss? 

Through  solemn  vigils  of  the  night 
When  all  the  earth  holds  breath— 

I  feel  the  life  I  gave  thee  move 
And  yet  I  muse  on  Death. 

Ah,  me!  what  fears  a  mother  knows 
Before  the  dawn  of  morning  glows! 


[13] 


LYRICS    OF    A     LAD 

Lie  closer,  closer,  little  son 
Against  my  throbbing  heart! 

What  is  there  in  the  moaning  wind 
To  make  the  salt  tears  start  ? 

A  dreadful  voice  calls  hauntingly 

With  sorrow  fraught  and  mystery. 


[14] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
TRIO  OF  SPRING  SONGS 

I — AT  MORNING 

The  eastern  sky  is  all  ablaze 

With  gold  and  rose; 
The  stream  holds  fair  the  azure  air; 

The  south  wind  blows. 

Hark!  o'er  the  road  the  thrush  glad  sings; 

The  wood  is  green; 
The  violet  with  dew  is  wet 

'Mid  sylvan  sheen. 

The  dawn  is  glad  with  melody 

As  Spring  is  born; 
On  rosy  wings  the  daylight  sings 

Good  morn!  good  morn! 

II INVITATION 

O,  let  us  go  a-gypsying,  my  Love, 

Through  calm,  green  woods  where  softly  cooes  the  dove. 

And  I  will  wreathe  the  flowers  of  the  way 

To  crown  you  queen!     I'll  sing  to  you  all  day. 

Come,  Love,  away! 

Come,  while  the  groves  are  fresh  aglow  with  dew, 
And  while  the  sun  of  gold  shines  'mid  the  blue, 
And  low  with  love,  yet  loud  with  joy  complete, 
We'll  sing  clear  strains  of  gladness.     Blithe  your  feet, 
My  Love,  my  Sweet! 

[15] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

Let's  leave  behind  our  sorrows  and  our  cares  ; 
Beside  the  brook  her  breast  the  lily  bares: 
The  wind  invites  and  pleads  with  us  to  play. 
Adown  and  o'er  the  countryside  to-day 
Come,  Love,  away! 

Ill INVOCATION 

I  wonder  why  the  rose  is  red,  my  Love, 

And  why  the  violet  is  blue. 

The  rose  is  red  in  jealousy  of  you; 
The  violet  but  imitates  your  eyes 
And  sighs,  and  sighs, 

My  Love,  O  my  Love ! 

I  wonder  why  the  lily's  white  with  grace, 

And  why  the  daffodil  is  gold. 

The  lily's  chalice  keeps  your  dreams  in  hold; 
The  daffodil,  in  envy  of  your  hair, 
Is  fair,  is  fair, 

My  Love,  O  my  Love ! 


[16] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 
THE  HEART-CRY  OF  THE  CELTIC  MAID 

There  were  blackbirds  in  the  hedges  and  sunshine  in  the  sky, 

Red  lilies  in  the  sedges  where  blue  rivulets  ran  by; 

The  spring's  gay  flowers  and  children — Oh,  how  jubilant 

they  were 
Veiled  was  the  wall  of  heaven  by  blithe  singing-birds  astir! 

What  use  the  heart-red  roses,  or  the  azure  of  the  sky? 
They  were  fair  in  Love's  reposes;  my  love  shall  never  die! 
A  shadow  filled  your  eyes,  my  dear,  I  died  to  you,  and  yet 
Whenever  fall  the  autumn  leaves  I  dream  and  can't  forget. 

Forget  you,  O,  forget  you? — why,  I  cannot  even  die! 
The  sun  has  lost  its  radiance,  the  lustre's  left  my  eye. 
My  heart  is  tired  of  longing,  and  my  soul  weeps  o'er  its  pain ; 
I  turn  to  east,  I  turn  to  west,  and  see  you  not  again. 

The  south  wind  you  have  taken  and  my  heart  have  taken,  too ; 
The  sunshine  and  the  gladness  and  the  songs  I  held  most  true. 
At  dawn,  at  noon,  at  dusk,  Love,  I  walk  the  dewy  sod; 
My  fear  is  great,  my  fear  is  great,  you've  taken  e'en  my  God. 

What  use  the  heart-red  roses,  or  the  azure  of  the  sky? 
They  were  sweet  in  Love's  sweet  closes;  would  Love  that  I 

might  die! 

My  heart  is  tired  of  longing,  and  my  soul  weeps  o'er  its  pain  ; 
I  turn  to  east,  I  turn  to  west,  and  see  you  not  again. 


[17] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

TRANSITION 

Lapis-lazuli  is  the  sea, 

A  golden  chariot,  rides  the  Dawn, 
The  morning  twilight  rests  upon 

The   apple-blossoms'   witchery. 

The  Sun  his  argosy  of  clouds 

Sails  in  the  sky;  the  silver  rain 
Falls  o'er  the  landscape  of  the  plain, 

The  trees  become  as  sombre  shrouds. 

The  shower  ends;  and  glowing,  bright, 
The  rosy  colors  merge  from  gray; 
The  paling  orange  edge  of  day 

Recedes  from  Evening's  sword  of  light ; 

The  hill,  a  bed  is  for  the  Sun, 

The  stars  rise  from  a  silver  swoon, 
To  dance  at  rising  of  the  Moon — 

The  day  was  a  chameleon. 


[18] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
THE  WITCH 

My  mistress  Mildred,  fair  and  good, 

Is  one  of  that  weird  sisterhood 

That  ride  at  midnight  on  the  air, 

And  brew  strange  potions  hov'ring  where 

Are  witches'  caldrons  in  the  wood. 

\ 

I  saw  her  kneel  by  Michael's  side 

Within  the  church, — he  of  my  pride. 

(The  lover  whom  in  spring  she  wed — 
That  night  she  rose  and  left  his  bed, 

At  dawn  returned  a  faithless  bride.) 

Nine  trees  grow  round  the  mystic  well 
Wherein  she  bathed  to  work  a  spell; 

Round  Michael's  wrist  I  found  a  hair 

That  Lilith  gave  her  for  a  snare, 
Lilith  who  is  the  queen  of  hell. 

My  prayers  to  heaven  ascend  like  myrrh. 
To  break  the  evil  spell  of  her, 

Unto  the  good  saint  Anne  I  prayed: 

She  passes  in  her  silks  arrayed, 
She  who  is  kin  to  Lucifer. 


[19] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

CANZONETTA 

I  cannot  see  the  roses, 

Though  once  I  loved  their  bloom, 
'Twould  be  too  much  of  agony 

To  breathe  their  sweet  perfume; 
'Twould  be  too  much  of  agony 

To  breathe  their  sweet  perfume. 

She  passed  when  passed  the  roses, 
My  red  rose  of  God's  art ; 

And  for  her  vanished  loveliness 
Alone  I  break  my  heart; 

And  for  her  vanished  loveliness 
Alone  I  break  my  heart. 

I  buried  her  in  roses, 

My  queen-rose  of  the  June, 

On  the  pine's  harp  a  spirit  played 
A  melancholy  rune; 

On  the  pine's  harp  a  spirit  played 
A  melancholy  rune. 

So  show  me  not  the  roses, 

I  must  not  see  their  bloom; 

'Twould  be  too  much  of  agony 

To  breathe  their  sweet  perfume; 

'Twould  be  too  much  of  agony 

To  breathe  their  sweet  perfume. 

[20] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 
VITA  NUOVA 

The  orange  moon  moves  placidly 

Across  the  purple  eminence; 

The  thrush  spills  golden  radiance 
From  boughs  of  dusk.    Through  waves  I  see 

A  nude  nymph's  phosphorescent  sheen 

(Two  rosebuds  pierce  a  breast  of  snow)  ; 
From  blue-bronze  twilight  passing  slow 

Queen  Juno's  peacocks  lord  the  green. 

My  face  and  limbs  grow  ivory- wan 

While  angry  winds  the  leaves  affright; 

I  worship  as  a  neophyte 

The  mystic  pageantry  of  night. 

Lo!  at  the  threshold  of  the  dawn 

My  soul  to  newer  life  is  drawn. 


[21] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

WEIRD  OF  DOOM 

Of  wine  I've  no  need,  dear, 

For  wine  is  accursed; 
At  the  wells  of  your  eyes,  dear, 
I  slaken  my  thirst. 

The  rubies  of  sunset, 

The  gold  of  the  morn, 

The   lovely  moon's  silver, 
The  rose  without  thorn, 

The  starred  veil  of  twilight, 

I  lay  at  your  feet  ; 
O,  tread  not  upon  it, 

My  heart's  in  it,  Sweet. 

In  gath'ring  the  hoar  frost 
I  trembled  all  night — 

A  maiden  inhuman 

Has  turned  my  face  white. 

I  saw  a  strange  maiden, 
Who  moved  on  a  cloud, 

I  heard  the  swan's  death-song, 
Love,  weave  me  a  shroud! 

O  take,  ere  I  leave  you 
My  little  wee  dove; 

[22] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 


'Twill  woo  you  to  dreaming 
Of  me,  and  my  love. 

Oh,  vex  not  the  silence, 

As,  quiet  I  lay, 
But  pray  for  my  soul,  Love, 

At  dawning  of  day. 


[23] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

REDWINGED  BLACKBIRD 

Fire-bearer  of  the  gods! — blue-black — 
With  flecks  of  sunshine  on  thy  back! 
Thou  herald  Mercury,  with  flame 
Upon  thy  shoulders !    Dost  proclaim 
In  sweat  and  pangs  the  pregnant  Night 
Brings  forth  the  wondrous  infant,  Light? 

Art  cardinal  in  song's  high  state? 
Monk  clad  in  garbadine  elate  ? 
Hilado  from  Ovedio 
Or  purple-vested  nuncio? 
Fromoff  thy  wings  thou  shakest  free 
The  sunset's  scarlet  blazonry. 

Nay,  none  of  these  thou  art,  I  own, 
But  an  arpeggio  shaken  down 
From  Song's  thick  symphony  of  boughs. 
Where  all  Night's  lidded  odors  drouse; 
A  feathered  arrow  flaming,  bright, 
Shot  past  the  startled  glooms  of  night. 

When  sunbeams  dance  in  Dawn's  ballet 
Thou  breakest  through  the  blue  of  day; 
A  shaft  of  throbbing  crimson  flame, 
Flown  from  God's  Hand  to  earth  ye  came; 
Darting  bewildered  woodlands  through, 
Unquenched  by  morning's  pools  of  dew. 


[241 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 
THE  UGLY  WOMAN 

O  ugly  woman,  jewel-hung, 

You  are  a  wanton,  drunk  with  wine; 
Black  scandal  sputters  from  your  tongue, 

Your  flesh,  fit  food  for  swine  ; 
O  ugly  woman,  jewel-hung, 

You  are  no  friend  of  mine. 

Woman  inciting  poignard's  thrust, 

Think  not,  I  am  your  youthful  prey; 

You  are  the  body-house  of  lust, 
A  blot  on  God's  bright  day. 

Woman  inciting  poignard's  thrust, 
Turn,  turn  those  eyes  away. 

O  jeweled  parrot,  garrulous, 

You  are  no  blossom  of  the  spring; 

Your  touch  is  slimy,  venomous, 
As  any  unclean  thing; 

O  jeweled  parrot,  garrulous, 
Cease,  cease,  your  passioning. 


[25] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

A-BURGEONING. 

At  dawn  of  day 

Pearl-pale  narcissi  say, 

"Fair  was  a  youth  one  far-off  May;" 

A  maiden  hears,  whose  head  of  gold 

Like  a  Greek  marigold, 

Is  aureoled; 

Oh  life  begun, 
The  guerdon  great  is  one 
Under  no  earthly  moon  or  sun ! 
List'ning,  bewildered,  to  the  wail 
Of  one  sad  nightingale, 
Grows  passion-pale. 

She  is  at  rest 

Beside  her  lover's  breast, 

A  grave  enfolds  them,  as  a  nest ; 

Two  hyacinths  their  bells  shall  ring 

In  lilac  eves  of  spring 

A-burgeoning. 


[26] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
CANZONA  AMOROSA 

The  rose  assumes  a  redder  hue, 
The  bee  hums  softer  all  day  through, 
The  linnet  pipes,  "O,  Love  be  true!" 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you,  beloved, 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you ! 

The  cloudlets  ride,  a  fairy  crew, 
The  sun  is  fairer  to  the  view 
The  sky  is  robed  in  clearer  blue, 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you,  beloved, 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you ! 

The  floweret  the  soft  wind  blew, 
Droops  low  its  head  with  cooler  dew, 
The  gray  old  world  is  changed  to  new 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you,  beloved, 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you ! 

The  rose  assumes  a  redder  hue, 
The  bee  hums  softer  all  day  through, 
The  linet  pipes,  "O,  Love  be  true!" 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you,  beloved, 
Whene'er  I  think  of  you ! 


[27] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

THE  FOREST  OF  THE  SKY 

High  in  the  forest  of  the  sky 

The  stars  and  branches  interlace; 

As  cloth-of-gold  the  fallen  leaves  lie 

Where  twilight-peacocks  lord  the  place, 
Spendthrifts  of  pride  and  grace. 

The  grapes  on  vines  are  rubies  red, 

They  burn  as  flame,  when  day  is  done; 

The  Dusk,  brown  Princess,  turns  her  head 
While  sunset-panthers  past  her  run 
To  caverns  of  the  Sun. 

She  throws  out  reins  of  sunbeams  wrought, 
About  the  sunset-panthers  fleet, 

And  rides  them  joyously,  when  caught, 
Across  the  poppied  fields  of  wheat — 
Their  hearts  with  terror  beat. 

They  reach  the  caverns  of  the  Sun, 
The  raven-clouds  above  them  fly; 

Dame  Night  her  tapestry's  begun. 
High,  o'er  the  forest  of  the  sky 
The  moon,  a  boat,  sails  by. — 


[28] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 
LADY  OF  THE  TITIAN  HAIR 

O  Lady  of  the  Titian  hair, 

The  rowan  lips,  the  beryl  eyes! 
Oh,  that  I  were  the  brooklet,  where 

Thy  mirrored  vision  lies,  beloved, 

Thy  mirrored  vision  lies! 

O  haunting  sylph  of  mystery, 

I  sing  thee  of  the  risen  sun  ; 
Of  all  the  lovely  things  that  be, 
Thou  art  the  fairest  one,  beloved, 
Thou  art  the  fairest  one. 

0  beauteous  Lady  that  thou  art, 

Am  I  but  worthy  thy  disdain  ? 

1  break  my  heart  upon  thy  heart, 

And  break  it  all  in  vain,  beloved, 
And  break  it  all  in  vain. 


[29] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

MARY'S  QUEST 

And  have  you  seen  my  little  Son 

A-passing  by  to-day  ? 
A  butterfly  with  golden  wings 

Has  lured  Him  far  away. 

Oh  you  would  know  Him  by  His  eyes, 
Twin  pools  of  twilight  sweet; 

Oh  you  would  know  Him  by  His  smile, 
And  by  His  little  feet. 

And  if  you  find  Him,  give  Him  drink, 
And  give  Him  of  your  bread, 

And  mother  Him  upon  your  breast, 
And  stroke  His  weary  head ; 

And,  should  a  thorn  have  bruised  His  hand, 
I  beg  you,  wash  the  stain; 

And  oh,  pray  lead  Him  to  my  hearth, 
And  to  my  arms  again. 

For  I  would  place  Him  in  my  bed, 
And  close  His  tender  eyes, 

And  lay  my  heart  anear  His  heart, 
And  dream  of  Paradise. 


[30] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
SAPPHO'S  LAST  SONG 

The  rose-gold  dawn  the  mount  of  amethyst 

Enfolds,  and  lo!  a  cloud,  day's  harbinger, 
Issues  in  joy  from  Heaven's  gate.     Oh,  list! 

Hear'st  thou  soft  rainbow  songs  and  the  vague  stir 
Of  myriad  wings  of  dawn-awakened  birds? 

Sweet  the  green  silence  of  the  plain  divine 
Reflected  in  the  eyes  of  waiting  herds. 

Soon,  like  a  boy  the  sun  will  laugh  and  shine; 
Sweet  is  earth's  beauty — sweet  to  me  to-day; 

I  feel  a  thrill  that  ne'er  before  I've  felt; 
The  breeze  my  glowing  brow  cools  in  its  play, 

And  soothes  in  alms  the  wounds  the  Fates  have  dealt. 

Upon  a  flowery  brink  alone  I  stand; 

The  murm'ring  sea  responds  to  my  despair ; 
Why  was  it  when,  in  passion,  o'er  the  land, 

Nature  to  me  was  dead?    Ah,  me!  how  fair 
All  things  appear  when  from  new  eyes  we  gaze — 

New  eyes  made  clear  by  tears  of  bitter  salt! 
And  so  the  poet  sings  of  joy  supreme 

While  in  his  heart  bleak  sorrow  makes  assault; 
He  stands  without  the  crowd,  praising  the  scheme 

Of  the  high  dawn — he  stands  and  sings  and  dies; 
So  o'er  my  heart  a  balmy  peace  now  strays 

And  blows  the  ashes  from  my  passion's  sighs. 


[31] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

Now  the  gods'  eyes  search  through  my  soul's  deep  woe ; 

Shaken  in  twilight  purple-gray  I  see 
The  rosy  and  the  orange  apples  glow 

Like  mellow  lamps  amid  the  leaves  of  green. 
While  merry  warblers  'mid  glad  leaves  entwine 

Entrancing  notes  of  golden  melody, 
Deep  through  the  woodland  crystal  brooks  on-flow 

Like  maids  exulting  in  the  sylvan  sheen; 
Rest,  peace  and  quiet  reign  throughout  the  wood; 

Shall  peace  and  quiet  evermore  be  mine? 
Soft  o'er  my  head  Death  draws  his  downy  hood; 

The  trees  are  dumb;  Love,  do  I  hear  thee  sigh? 
The  darkness  falls.     I  die,  Beloved,  I  die! 


[32] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
SUNRISE  IN  JULY 

The  sunrise  comes  with  flame  in  deep  July : 
A  herald  star  rides  through  the  daybreak  sky  ; 
On  field  and  hill,  and  down  the  steep  ravine, 
A  note  is  heard,  the  color  soft  cool-green. 

The  azure  east  is  warming  into  rose, 

The  sun  his  face  majestically  shows; 

Glad  are  the  songs  of  morning;  downward  far 

'Mid  dawn's  white  tents  I  see  the  loit'ring  star. 

In  ecstasy  my  soul  drains  melodies; 
Morn  bears  no  shadows  for  the  wayside  trees; 
No  more  the  meadow-brooklet  holds  the  moon 
Deep-cradled  in  a  broken,  rippled  tune. 

Behold,  the  sky  is  now  afire,  full-tide, 
Resembling  the  warm  blushes  of  a  bride; 
A  redthroat  pipes  his  flame-touched  note  at  will 
And  all  the  glad  earth  feels  the  moment's  thrill. 


[33] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

HAD  I  THY  LOVE 

Had  I  thy  love 

I'd  make  a  necklace  of  the  stars  for  thee 
And  golden  blazonry  of  harmony 
And  color-rhythm  and  tone  would  haunt  my  lays 
Like  rippling  brooks  singing  through  summer  days; 
The  low-voiced  wind  a  captive  I  would  make 
And  let  it  labor  for  thy  dear,  sweet  sake  ; 
I'd  steal  the  cooing  of  the  tender  dove 
That  I  might  murmur  sweeter  of  my  love, 

Had  I  thy  love! 

Had  I  thy  love 

With  fairest  flowers, — purple,  gold  and  red — 
I'd  wreathe  a  diadem  to  crown  thy  head; 
I'd  spread  a  carpet  for  thy  fairy  feet 
Wrought  of  life's  radiant  fancies  joy-complete; 
Truth,  love  and  beauty  would  but  be  a  part 
Of  aught  I'd  offer;  then  I'd  give  my  heart. 
I'd  gather  the  fresh  gladness  of  the  morn 
To  weave  a  prayer  of  thanks  that  thou  wert  born 

Had  I  thy  love! 

Had  I  thy  love 

I'd  tend  a  garden  of  enchanted  flowers 

Where  birds  should  sing  thy  name  throughout  the  hours; 
I'd  weave  a  robe  of  morn  and  sunset  hue 
Embroidered  bright  in  blossom-scented  dew; 


[34] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

A  twilight  pool  should  prison  thy  glad  eyes 
And  dream  that  they  had  mirrored  Paradise. 
When  Night  should  wing  its  dawn  from  out  the  West 
I'd  lay  thy  head  'mid  dreams  upon  my  breast, 
Had  I  thy  love! 


|35| 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

THE  FRIAR  OF  GENOA 

In  Genoa  a  friar  walked; 

Of  ev'ry  sacred  tale  he  talked; 

Alone  he  dwelt,  in  prayer  he  knelt; 

"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria!" 
From  dawn  till  dusk  he  sang. 

His  bruised  and  blistered  feet  were  bare; 
His  head  burned  in  the  sunlight's  glare. 
On  stones  he  slept,  and  worked  and  wept, 

"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria!" 
In  every  blow  or  pang. 

Out  of  his  dole  he  clothed  the  poor, 

And  every  hardship  did  endure; 

He  blessed  the  meek  and  nursed  the  weak 

"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria!" 
With  each  succeeding  day. 

And  begged  for  alms  for  those  in  need, 
A  kind  word  spoke  with  every  deed, 
With  sinners  dined  and  led  the  blind — 

"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria!" 
Until  he  passed  away. 

And  is  his  work  done?    Ah,  surprise! 
Out  of  the  tomb  where  low  he  lies 
A  perfume  blows,  as  of  a  rose : 


[36] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 


"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria!" 
It  sings  in  shade  and  sun. 

And  he  who  breathes  it,  him  it  feeds, 
And  stirs  his  heart  to  noble  deeds; 
And  one  has  said,  "He  is  not  dead — 

"Ave  Maria,  Ave  Maria! 
His  life  has  just  begun!" 


[37] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

THE  MAD  WOMAN 

Oh  blame  me  not  that  his  lips  were  red, 
Or  that  my  eyes  on  his  eyes  went  blind. 
A  leaf  am  I  in  a  ruthless  wind, 

I'll  dig  me  a  grave  and  rest  me, — dead. 

Wolf-winds,  a  pack, 

I  dragged  by  the  back 

And  loosened  them  at  his  door; 

Asp  of  despair 

Crawl  into  his  lair 

And  eat  his  heart  to  the  core ! 

For  the  baby  he  gave  to  me, 
The  moon  fell  into  the  sea; 
The  white  leopards  of  foam 
Said,  "Carry  it  home;" 
So  I  put  it  into  a  sack, 
And  carried  it  home  on  my  back. 

I  lit  the  lantern  of  the  Sun, 

And  stole  the  blue  cloth  of  the  sky, 

A  cover  for  my  little  one. 

I  made  his  crib.    Is  that  his  cry? 

Let  me  run,  let  me  run, 

My  eyes  grow  sad  for  my  son. 

Spear  of  the  world's  scorn  in  my  side, 
The  grave  is  deep  where  a  maid  may  bide, 
Ever  and  ever  satisfied. 

[38] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
IN  ITALY 

In  Italy,  in  Italy, 

The  oranges  hang  on  the  tree, 

As  lanterns  bright,  aglow  with  light, 

They  shine  for  lovers  through  the  night. 

In  Italy,  in  Italy, 

Oh,  life  is  one  long  Arcady! 

The  moon  grows  pale;  the  nightingale 

Stirs  every  heart,  with  wail  on  wail. 

In  Italy,  in  Italy, 

The  rose  exhales  an  ecstasy; 

Each  humble  heart  acts  well  its  part, 

And  welcomes  thee,  whoe'er  thou  art. 

In  Italy,  in  Italy, 

The  sky  steps  down  to  meet  the  sea, 

The  redbird  swings,  with  flame  he  sings, 

And  shakes  the  sunset  from  his  wings — 

In  Italy,  in  Italy, 

Oh,  life  is  one  long  Arcady! 


[39] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

HER  WAITING 

Mournful  the  twilights, 
Solemn  the  evenings. 
Lagging  the  hours  pass, 
When  one  awaits  one 
That  is  beloved; 
Night,  bring  him  hither! 

Long  will  he  clasp  me 
In  his  strong  arms.     Ah, 
Birds  sing  his  praises, 
Stars  light  his  pathway, 
Winds  waft  him  closer — 
Closer  and  closer ! 

My  heart  adores  him, 
My  lips  desire  him, 
Flame  thrills  my  pulses; 
Faster  my  heart  beats; 
How  shall  I  meet  him, 
I,  who  am  woman? 

Long,  long,  I've  waited, 
Though  tired,  yet  happy, 
Had  I  his  warm  kiss, 
His  fond  embraces, 
I'd  die  enraptured 
Knowing  he  loved  me. 

[40] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
TWILIGHT  LULLABY 

Toddle  off  to  Dreamland,  sleepy  Curlyhead, 
While  the  Slumber  Spirits  glide  around  your  bed, 
Wandering  with  Fancy  o'er  the  pools  to  flowers 
Through  a  land  more  lovely,  more  wonderful  than  ours. 

There  the  skies  are  brighter;  there  the  days  are  gold; 
There  there  is  no  sorrow ;  none  are  sad  nor  old  ; 
There  the  birds  make  music  through   the  morns  of  blue, 
Singing  joyful  praises — singing  just  for  you! 

Streams  of  crystal  silver  run  beside  your  feet, 
Charming  blooms  and  fairies;  lambkins  play  and  bleat; 
Happy  chimes  are  ringing,  sweet  melodious  sound, 
And  white-pink  laughter  ripples;  songs  of -joy  abound. 

Journey  off  to  Dreamland — thither,  babe,  away! 
Winter  soon  will  shatter  the  happiness  of  May. 
While  the  Slumber  Spirits  lead  you  to  your  bed, 
Toddle  off  to  Dreamland,  little  Curlyhead ! 


[41] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

ADORATION 

Come,  O  my  Love,  while  Sunset  drops  unknowing, 
Her  shawl  and  poppies  on  the  stair  of  evening ; 
The  golden  stars  asleep,  in  silver  cradles, 
The  Moon  awakens. 

An  unseen  bird  sings  broken-hearted,  silvering 
The  dreaming  woodland.     Pan  his  flute  is  playing, 
A  wood-nymph  thrills  and  dances  with  her  lover, 
Like  two  bacchantes. 

Lean  on  my  heart,  let  us  adore  this  beauty; 
The  stars  glow  on  the  veils  of  night  triumphant, 
And  Echo  lies  a-dream  in  groves  of  silence, 
The  reeds  are  stirring. 

Aurora  in  her  chariot  rides,  exultant 
In  sudden  glory  from  the  marge  of  Heaven. 
The  coloring  sky  is  streaked  with  arrowy  silver 
And  blush  of  roses. 


[42] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
LA  TARANTELLA 

Italian  Folk  Dance 
Come  dance  the  tarantella, 

Let's  dance  it  merrily! 
Our  feet  shall  tread  the  rhythm, 

Our  hearts,  beat  glad  and  free; 
Come  dance  the  tarantella 

And  swing  the  tambourine, 
What  joy,  what  pain,  what  rapture, 

O  little  dark-eyed  queen! 

Come  dance  the  tarantella 
La  bella  tarantella 
The  merry  tarantella 
My  sweet  Italian  queen. 

Come  dance  the  tarantella, 

My  slender  sprig  of  joy! 
The  music's  happy  cadence 

Thrills  us,  fond  girl  and  boy; 
Come  dance  the  tarantella, 

My  castanets  clink,  gay; 
The  love  our  hearts  are  holding 

Our  lips  refuse  to  say. 

Come  dance  the  tarantella 
La  bella  tarantella 
The  merry  tarantella 
Love,  be  my  own  to-day! 

[43] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

BALLAD  OF  LOVE-DENIED 

I  saw  the  maiden,  Love-Denied, 
Beside  the  ocean  of  the  years; 

The  heart  that  beat  against  her  breast 
Ached — 'twas  the  hive  of  fears — 

I  saw  the  maiden,  Love-Denied, 
I  knew  her  by  her  tears. 

She  found  a  nest  of  memories 

Whose  birds  flew,  circling,  song-content; 
Along  her  strands  of  loosened  hair 

Her  slender  arms  were  bent  ; 
Behind  her,  Twilight  closed  the  door 

On  sleep's  imprisonment. 

She  rocked  the  cradle  in  her  heart, 
Wherein  her  unborn  infant  lay, 

She  rocked  it  gently,  through  the  night, 
And  through  the  stifling  day, 

And  ever  of  a  lover  dreamed — 
As  only  women  may. 

I  saw  Death  with  his  iron  feet 

The  life  from  her  breast  harshly  stamp ; 

The  lover  finds  her  on  her  couch, 
Her  hair  is  chill  and  damp, — 

And  lo,  at  heaven's  blue  windowed  house, 
God  sets  the  moon  for  lamp. 


[44] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

He  eries  his  sorrow  to  the  wind 

That  enters  through  the  blinds.    In  pain 

He  falls  across  the  Love-Denied, 
The  unbesmirched  of  stain. 

A  stroke  of  lightning  strikes  his  heart, 
And  breaks  the  heart  in  twain. 

And  in  this  world,  like  Love-Denied, 

Are  many  broken  hearts.    Ah  me, 
They  do  not  know  the  lover's  kiss, 

Nor  love's  deep  ecstasy. 
Each  soul  that  lives  must  grieve  within 

Its  own  Gethsemane. 


[45] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

CASKET  OF  INNOCENCE 

Darling  boy  with  dream-filled  eyes, 
Do  you  dream  of  Paradise? 
Little  cherub!  you  are  one, 
With  the  semblance  of  the  sun. 
Sweet,  your  golden  curls  of  seven, 
Little  blossom  strayed  from  Heaven! 

Darling  boy,  your  eyes  dream-filled, 
Are  twin  pools  by  music-thrilled; 
Like  a  snowflake,  you  are  pure, 
Innocence,  your  vestiture; 
Than  a  diamond,  you  are  brighter! 
Near  you,  lilies  blossom  whiter! 

Darling  boy  with  joy  endowed, 
Have  you  fallen  from  a  cloud? 
Mary's  page  celestial, 
Come  to  realms  terrestrial? 
Little  sunbeam  on  the  river, 
Bear  my  praise  to  God,  the  Giver. 


[46] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
VISION  OF  TWO  LOVERS 

"Infinity  of  sky  and  sea, 
Bring  my  Beloved  to  me! 
Winds,  winds,  invade 
The  damask  gloom  of  shade, 
Where  we  once  laid. 

"Ah,  since  that  night 

When  to  her  window,  she  came  forth  as  light, 

Have  I  been  Beauty's  acolyte. 

The  odorous  jasamine 

Confesses  she  is  mine, 

And,  finding  her  most  fair, 

The  sunbeams  sought  her  hair, 

And  rested  there. 

"Sing,  sing, 

O  birds  of  Spring! 

Pour  forth  song's  silver  on  the  mating  bough; 

That  I  may  meet  her  now 

Death,  Death,  kiss,  kiss  my  brow!" 

Lo,  from  its  mould  of  clay 
His  spirit  soared  away. 

Her  waist  engirdled  was 
With  lib'es  generous, 


[47] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

Her  brow  was  star-endowed, 

She  floated  on  a  cloud 

Of  daffodil  and  rose  and  amethyst; 

Of  vapor  was  her  mantled  robe  of  mist. 

With  kiss,  her  lover,  where  the  moon  kept  gate, 

I  saw  her  consecrate. 

Above  God's  blue,  starred  canopy  of  sky, 

With  answering  sigh  for  sigh, 

The  lovers  sat,  until  the  Dawn  rode  by. 


[48] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
BIRTH  OF  THE  DAFFODIL 

The  sun  went  down  behind  the  hill 

Enwrapped  in  azure  haze, 
And  took  with  him  against  their  will 

His  little  golden  rays, 
But  one,  that  wandered  far  a-field, 

Was  left  behind  alone; 
Entangled  in  the  waving  grass 

Its  glittering  beauty  shone. 

Out  from  the  wood  of  melody 

Two  streams  of  song  swift  ran, 
The  peace-birds  piped  their  minstrelsy, 

The  stars  watched  over  Pan; 
And  when  the  rosy  dawn  awoke 

Close  to  a  jocund  rill, 
Lo,  waving  in  the  green  spring  grass 

There  bloomed  a  daffodil. 


[49] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

WERE  YOU  BUT  MINE 

Were  you  but  mine 
The  moon  as  halo  you  should  wear, 
The  stars  of  midnight  for  your  hair, 
I'd  thread  Dawn's  pearls  upon  a  string, 
The  sun's  red  rubies  for  your  ring; 
With  sunset-poppies  on  your  head, 
The  air,  as  earth,  your  feet  should  tread, 
Your  eyes  should  thrill  my  veins  like  wine, 
The  world  I'd  give  you  at  a  sign 

Were  you  but  mine ! 

Were  you  but  mine 
In  cloud  and  rainbow-hued  brocade 
Your  lithe-limbed  form  should  be  arrayed, 
About  your  torso's  lovely  space 
A  sash  of  moonbeams  I  should  place  ; 
Upon  your  curved  lips'  wistfulness 
A  mouth  impassioned  I  should  press, 
Before  your  beauty — exquisite, 
A  lamp  of  worship  should  be  lit, 

Were  you  but  mine ! 

Were  you  but  mine 
Purged  of  all  stain  and  base  desire, 
My  soul  to  your  height  should  aspire; 
Ah,  nevermore  your  eyes  should  weep; 


[50] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

I'd  kiss  and  clasp  you  in  your  sleep. 
The  Hand  of  God  the  bow  should  sway, 
The  'cello  of  the  Night  should  play 
Sonorous,  sad  and  tremulous, 
'Twould  stir  the  very  depths  of  us 
Were  you  but  mine ! 


[51] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

FOREBODING 

Unclose,  Night's  purple-petalled  rose ! 

Reveal  the  stars  that  form  thy  golden  heart, 

O  mystic  rose,  the  flowering  of  God's  art; 

Guard  thou  the  infant  slumbering  in  repose, 

Across  its  breast  its  sleep-numbed  fingers  close ; 

And  thus  they  lie,  until 

On  Heaven's  blue  window  sill 

God  sets  the  lark,  a-singing, 

A-singing,  singing,  flinging 

Song's  living  azure;  'tis  his  lay 

Enchants  and  ushers  in  the  Day, 

And  wakes  the  angel,  Light, 

Whose  sword  unsheathed,  slays  the  dragon,  Night. 

Woe,  when  the  candle  of  her  day 

Hath  burned  itself  away! 

In  maidenhood  her  hands  will  fold 

In  their  last  hold, 

While  wintry  clouds,  their  cloaks  of  woe 

Will  spread  before  the  sun, 

And  God  alone — Oh,  God  alone — will  know 

The  grief  of  one ! 

Her  cold  and  rigid  hands 

Will  be  as  iron-bands 

Around  her  lover's  heart  ; 

O  thou,  whoe'er  thou  art, 

Who  yet  wilt  live, 


[52] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

O'er  thee  will  winter,  through  the  sky's  gray  sieve, 

Sift  down  his  charity  of  snow  ; 

But  she,  she  will  not  care  nor  know, 

She  will  not  care  nor  know. 


[53] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

LYRIC  OF  A  LOVER 

Because  I  find  thy  cheeks  most  fair, 

No  roses  do  I  see; 
And  since  thy  eyes  have  met  my  eyes 

No  violets  dance  for  me  ; 
Thy  golden  hair  has  meshed  my  soul, 

There  is  no  sun — but  thee ! 

Enravished  by  thy  melody 

The  stream  stops,  for  a  space. 

Behold,  the  peacock  follows  thee, 
And  tries  to  learn  thy  grace. 

The  very  moon  grows  passion-pale 
In  gazing  on  thy  face. 

I  gave  up  lilacs  when  ye  came, 
I  heeded  not  the  Spring. 

Ah,  with  thy  hand  within  my  hand, 
What  need  for  anything! 

My  heart  responded!  to  thy  heart, 
As  'cello  to  the  string. 


[54] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
THE  LEOPARD 

Crouching  upon  the  western  height 

The  shadowy  leopard,   Night, 

Pounces  and  grips  the  maiden,  Day,  at  rest, 

And  claws  her  heaving  breast; 

The  tangled  sunshine  in  her  hair 

As  fire-flies  fall  adown  the  air, 

The  savage,  panting  beast 

Devours  his  mangled  feast; 

Below  the  ramparts,  where  she  bled, 

The  sunset  floweth  red, 

And  at  the  fiendish  sight, 

Day's  golden  wine  turns  purple  in  affright. 

A-past  dawn's  loitering  star 
In  pursuit  of  the  shadowy  leopard,  Night, 
Drawn  by  swift  galloping  cloud-steeds,  in  his  car, 
The  Sun,  an  Indian  Archer,  aims  aright; — 
Lo,  from  his  bow  the  arrow  wings  its  flight, 
And  the  slain  leopard  tumbles  out  of  sight. 


[55] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

FANTASY  OF  DUSK  AND  DAWN 

O  dusk,  you  brown  cocoon, 

Release  your  moth,  the  moon! 

The  tapers  of  the  night  her  wings  await; 

Storms,  storms,  abate, 

And  cease  to  desecrate 

With  the  unbridled  fury  of  your  hate, 

The  mottled  flags  that  in  the  marshes  lie; 

Closing  its  frightened  eye, 

The  peacock  stabs  the  silence  with  its  cry. 

In  gossamer  drapery, 

Bare  at  a  breast,  and  knee, 

The  Goddess,  Dawn,  steps  through  a  garden-close 

And  the  white  rose  whiter  glows; 

The  frail  syringa's  snows 

Around  her,  blow, 

And  when  she  wills 

The  gypsy-daffodills, 

Beautiful  grow. 

Lucretia  Borgia  fair, 
The  poppy  is.     Beware! 
Her  gorgeous  chalice,  deep, 
Contains  the  drug  of  sleep; 
And  Death  the  soul  will  keep, 
That  tastes  it  unaware. 


[56] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
A  FISHERMAN  SPEAKS 

Anno  Domini,  thirty-three 
Oh  He  who  walked  with  fishermen 

Was  man  of  men  in  Galilee; 
He  told  us  endless  wonder-tales, 

His  laugh  was  hale  and  free. 

The  water  changed  He  into  wine 

To  please  a  poor  man's  company; 
I  saw  Him  walk  one  wretched  night 

Upon  a  troubled  sea. 

And  when  the  rabble  cried  for  blood, 

I  saw  Him  nailed  upon  a  tree; 
He  showed  how  a  brave  man  could  die  ; 

The  Prince  of  men  was  He. 

And  rough  men,  we,  who  never  wept, 

Wept  when  they  nailed  Him  to  the  tree; 

Oh  He  was  more  than  man,  who  walked 
With  us  in  Galilee. 


[57] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

REVELATION 

I  found  you,  bleeding,  bleeding,  bleeding, 
Amid  the  heart  of  war's  red  hell; 

I  tended  you,  without  your  heeding, 
Nor  stopped  to  say  farewell ; 

Still  I  am  less  than  dust  the  streets  afford 

To  you,  my  lord! 

I'd  be  your  slave,  forever,  ever, 

Should  you  but  say  the  word.    Ah  me ! 

Each  precious  tie  I'd  gladly  sever, 
And  do  it  happily; 

What  time  I'd  bear  your  babe  behind  my  heart, 

Of  you  a  part! 

All  night,  all  night,  the  wind  went  sighing 
Your  haunting  name,  my  dear,  my  dear; 

At  dawn  I  woke,  a-crying,  crying, 
And  found  you  were  not  near; 

Like  a  gray  gull  gray  lonely  seas  above, 

I  seek  you,  Love! 

And  shall  my  vigil  be  abated, 

And  shall  I  see  the  Sun  to-day? 

Long  have  I  waited,  staunch,  elated; 
Strike  with  your  sword,  and  slay ; 

Or  slay  me,  lover,  slay  me  with  a  kiss, 

For  greater  bliss ! 


\58] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
HEROES 

Written  in  Hull-House,  founded  by  Jane  Addams 

Who  are  earth's  heroes?     List  to  the  reply: 
A  dreamer,   hungry-hearted,   serving   Song, 
A  soul  that  rights  a  weak  soul's  burning  wrong, 

Such  acts  will  live  e'en  though  the  nations  die! 

Such  deeds  in  God's  great  Book  recorded  lie: 

A  mother  for  an  orphaned  brood  grown  strong; 
A  noble  life  self -sacrificed.     Oh  long 

The  list  of  heroes!     None  may  truth  deny! 

Earth's  heroes  are  kind-voiced  and  saintly-browed; 
Put  by  your  laurel  wreaths  and  herald  horns! 

They  pass  all   burden-bent,   the  much-denied 
Who  live  unnoticed  'mid  the  struggling  crowd. 

Their  brows  bear  impress  of   the  crown  of  thorns, 
These   mute   white   Christs — the   daily   crucified! 


[59] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

HER  ROOM 

This  is  the  room  of  her  who  late  was  fair; 

The  room  is  sad,  and  empty  of  her  grace, 

The  sunset-window  burns,  and  feels  her  face; 
Of  satin's  swirl  bewidowed  is  the  stair, 
And  Silence  keeps  the  perfume  of  her  hair — 

Ah,  Music's  spirit  haunts  the  sacred  place ! 

Her  heart  thrilled  to  a  song  in  my  embrace 
My  tears  are  hot  for  memories  I  bear ! 

White  dove,  Rememb'rance,  on  the  window  sill, 

Whose  wings  are  burnished  in  gray  twilight's  gleam, 

Hushed  be  your  croon  for  her  whose  gentleness 
Gave  you  your  song  and  me  my  heav'n.     How  still 
The  room  is!    What  pulsation  to  a  theme! 

Here  Speech  has  found  a  speech  in  speechlessness ! 


[60] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
DANTE  IN  RAVENNA 

His  cloak  is  flung  about  him  frayed  and  poor, 

The  Florentines  have  closed  their  scornful  gate; 

The  beret  on  his  head  folds  desolate; 
In  the  Ravenna  street,  before  my  door 
He  passes,  grave  and  solemn  as  of  yore; 

His  face  is  sad  and  mournful  as  his  gait; 

His  eyes  gaze  upward  as  he  weeps  at  Fate; 
Around  his  heart  the  bleakest  tempests  roar. 

I,  too,  O  Florentine,  have  heard  the  knell; 

My  eyes  have  seen  the  woe,  the  suffering; 
My  ears  have  caught  the  cries  from  sorrow's  cell. 

The  blood-stained  linen  of  the  anguishing 
Upon  the  pain-couch  lies  at  vesper  bell, 
And  thousands  cry:     "O,  who  has  been  in  hell!" 


[611 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

BEATA  BEATRIX 

Rossetti's  painting  in  the  collection  of  Charles  L.  Hutchinson 

Her  head  rests  backward,  shut  o'er  dreams  her  eyes; 

Her  cheek  is  pale  with  virgin  mysteries 

She  folds  a  poppy  on  life's  miseries, 
While  in  her  hair  the  sunset's  glory  lies, 
Her  ecstasy  is  one  of  Paradise; — 

Love  lays  his  ringers  on  her  spirit's  keys, 

Life's  harmony  thrills  into  symphonies, 
She  sees  the  face  of  Dante — and  she  sighs. 

O  joy  profound!     O  poignant  happiness! 

0  mortalkind,  knowest  what  I  have  seen? 

(Lo,  in  my  soul  there  blooms  the  rose  of  peace!) 
What,  think  ye,  came  my  humble  life  to  bless? 

1  saw  a  figure  from  high  Heaven  lean, 

Lo,  I  have  seen  the  face  of  Beatrice! — 


[62] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 
THE  GOLDEN  WITCH 

The  golden  witch,  the  golden  witch 

Is  world-persuading  fair; 
Her  beauty  is  an  evil  charm 

To  lure  you  in  her  snare, 
And  she  can  bind  you  prisoner 

With  but  a  strand  of  hair. 

She  has  a  smile  that  Lilith  taught, 

Wherewith  she  works  a  spell, 
And  he  wrho  has  beheld  her  smile 

Has  both  of  Heaven  and  Hell; 
He  follows  her  forevermore 

And  ever  thinks  it  well. 

The  crimson  rose  a  crimson  flame 

Unto  her  beauty,  burns, 
The  sky  in  envy  of  her  cheeks 

To  crimson   blushing  turns, 
And  every  youth  she  looks  upon 

For  her  false  bosom  yearns. 

Their  grief  for  the  spell-stricken  ones 

The  helpless  flowers  declare; 
The  poppy,  regal  Borgia,  said : 

"I'll  rid  her  of  her  snare; 
The  poison  that  is  in  my  cup 

Shall  drug  her  unaware." 


[631 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

But  when  with  her  sweet  loveliness 
And  her  gold  hair  she  came, 

The  flowers  that  were  to  vengeance  vowed 
Her  worshipers  became; 

Enchanted  winds  and  birds  and  streams 
Sang  but  her  name,  her  name. 

Oh,  gaze  not  on  the  golden  witch, 

Nor  on  her  golden  hair; 
Drain  not  the  red  rose  of  her  mouth, 

Press  not  her  bosom  fair; 
Her  golden  hair's  a  golden  net, 

To  prison  your  despair. 


[64] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

THREE  APPLES 

I  who  am  Giver  of  Life 
Out  of  the  cradle  of  dawn 
Bring  you  this  infant  of  song. — 
He  has  a  golden  tongue 
And  wrings  upon  his  feet. 

The  apple  of  silver  he  holds 

Once  lay  at  the  breast  of  the  moon ; 

I  give  him  an  apple  of  gold — 

'Twas  forged  in  the  fires  of  the  sun; 

This  apple  of  copper  I  give 

That  Sunset  concealed  in  her  hair. 

When  from  the  husk  of  dusk  I  shake  the  stars, 
Down  slumber's  vine  I'll  send  him  dreams  in  dew, 
And  peace  will  overtake  him  like  a  song, 
Like  thoughts  of  love  invade  a  lover's  mind. 
The  spear-scars  of  the  red  world  he  will  wear 
As  women  in  their  hair  may  wear  a  rose. 

On  the  rosary  of  his  days 
He  will  say  a  prayer  for  your  sake; 
The  hounds-o'-wonder  will  lie  at  his  side, 
And  lick  the  dust-o'-the-world  from  his  feet. 

The  apple  of  silver  will  work  him  a  charm 
When  under  his  pillow  he  lays  it  at  night; 


[65] 


LYRICS     OF    A     LAD 

The  apple  of  copper  will  warm  his  heart 
When  a  heart  he  loves  grows  cold  on  his  own ; 
The  apple  of  gold  will  teach  him  a  song 
For  children  to  sing  when  he  blows  on  a  reed; 
The  dew  will  hear  and  run  to  the  sun, 
The  sun  will  whisper  it  in  my  ear, 
And  you,  being  dead,  the  song  will  hear. 


[66] 


MINIATURE  LYRICS 


MINIATURE  LYRICS 


APRIL 

I  loved  her  more  than  moon  or  sun — 
There  is  no  moon  or  sun  for  me; 

Of  lovely  things  to  look  upon, 
The  loveliest  was  she. 

She  does  not  hear  me,  though  I  sing — 
And,  oh,  my  heart  is  like  to  break! 

The  world  awakens  with  the  Spring, 
But  she — she  does  not  wake! 


SCARLET— WHITE 

(Struck  at  the  double  standard.) 
The  woman  who  is  scarlet  now 

Was  soul  of  whiteness  yesterday; 
A  void  is  she  wherein  a  man 

May  leave  his  lust  to-day. 

'Twas  with  the  kiss  Iscariot 

A  traitor  bore  her  heart  away; 

Her  body  now  is  leased  by  men 
Who  kneel  at  church  to  pray. 


[69] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

LYRIC 

The  lyric  has  a  heart  of  flame 

And  wings  of  fire; 
The  soul,  a  lyric,  flutters  high 

And  ever  higher. 

LATE  JANUARY 

The  frozen  streams  in  agony  are  praying; 

Through   the   red   twilight   their  wind-whispers   creep; 
While  from  each  bough,  in  the  late  day  flush  graying, 

Down  droppeth  sleep. 

In  mournful  rhythm  snowsifts  are  descending; 

Through  broken  cloudracks  winds  the  hill-tops  plow; 
In  the  deep  valley,  chanting  dirge  unending, 

Tall  marsh-reeds  bow. 

Sheep,  thickly  huddled,  on  the  hillsides  shiver; 

The  prostrate  pastures  lifeless,  wait,  all  bare  ; 
Night:  and  from  house-roofs,  like  white  smoke  forever, 

Upriseth  prayer. 


[70] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
SONG  FOR  A  ROSE 

The  rose  to  you  is  but  a  rose, 

To  me,  it  is  the  flower  of  love; 
Oh,  'tis  the  rose  alone  that  knows 

The  one  my  heart  is  dreaming  of. 

The  wind  the  rose's  petals  blows, 
That  close  its  golden  heart  above; 

The  rose,  with  passion  redder  grows, 

And  drains  my  heart's  crimson  thereof. 

Oh,  'tis  the  rose  alone  that  knows 

The  one  my  heart  is  dreaming  of; 

The  rose  to  you  is  but  a  rose, 
To  me,  it  is  the  flower  of  love. 

ITERATION 

My  son  is  dead  and  I  am  going  blind, 
And  in  the  Ishmael-wind  of  grief 
I  tremble  like  a  leaf; 
I  have  no  mind  for  any  word  you  say: 
My  son  is  dead  and  I  am  going  blind. 


[71] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

THE  FLOWER  SKY 

The  daffodil  is  in  the  sky, 
Upon  the  cloud,  the  rose; 

The  violets  enraptured  lie 
Along  the  eveninglows. 

The  myrtle  blue  is  risen  high 
On  Evening's  silvern  stair; 

The  tiger-lilies  terrify 
The  sunset  in  his  lair. 

The  marsh-born  flags  of  purple  dye- 
The  minstrel  eveninglows — 

The  daffodil  is  in  the  sky, 
Upon  the  cloud,  the  rose. 

WHY  DO  YOU  WEEP? 

"Why  do  you  weep,  O  maid?" 
I  asked  in  sympathy. 

"Is  it  for  sorrow  past, 
Or  sorrow  yet  to  be  ?" 

"Oh  ask  me  not,"  she  said, 
"His  eyes  were  like  the  sea- 

They  laid  him  in  the  earth, 
And  broke  the  heart  of  me." 

[72] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
NOTTURNO 

Upon  the  Sunset's  heart 

The  Dusk  has  wept  her  tears  ; 
Love,  must  we  live  apart, 

Through  all  the  years  ? 

The  stars  burn, — candles  bright 
Lit  round  pale  Twilight's  bier; — 

The  Moon  grieves  night  by  night, 
You  are  not  here! 

The  Night  communes  with  Death 

And  drains  the  heart  thereof; 
I  feel  a  ghost-chill  breath; 

Is  it  you,  my  Love? 

INTERPRETATION 

They  say  my  heart  is  light  with  joy;  I  sing 
And  all  proclaim  I  have  a  heart  most  gay. 

My  heart  is  winter  though  my  songs  are  spring; 
None  know  the  suffering  I  bear  each  day  ; 

Yet  hearts  that  listen  speechless,  without  moan, 

I  know  must  be  still  sadder  than  my  own. 


[73] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

THE  LITTLE  BIRDS 

The  sky  is  like  a  nun  in  gray; 

A  host  ensilvered  is  the  moon ; 

The  white  birds  fly,  adown  the  sky 

They  make  of  memory  a  rune. 

They  flutter  on,  these  restless  birds ; 

So  pale  their  wings  against  my  hair; 
The  trees  are  white;  while  in  their  flight 

The  little  birds  go  everywhere. 

The  weary  birds  with  breezes  played 
Until  the  wizard  sun  of  red 

Shot  arrows  gold  amid  their  fold. 
Alas!  the  little  birds  are  dead. 

A  HEART-THROB 

I  am  a-weary  as  the  wind 

That  wails  through  graveyard  beeches  sere, 
Or  like  an  orphan-bird,  sea-blown, 
That  finds  no  cheer. 

Oh,  would  to-night  a  star  might  lead 
This  wayworn  pilgrim  to  His  feet; 

I'd  weep  my  heart  still,  in  His  sight, 
And  rest  complete. 


[74] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 
EVENING 

Spirit  of  Evening,  furl  your  wings  of  light ! 
Weep  for  the  Dusk-slain  Twilight  on  your  breast; 
From  sunset-fires  arise  the  stars  of  night, 
The  moon,  a  babe,  in  pools  is  rocked  to  rest. 

EARLY  NIGHTFALL 

The  pale  Day  drowses  on  the  western  steep, 
The  toiler  faints  along  the  marge  of  sleep, 
Within  the  sunset-press,  incarnadine, 
The  Sun,  a  peasant,  tramples  out  his  wine. 

Ah,  scattered  gold  rests  on  the  twilight-streams, 
The  poppy  opes  her  scarlet  purse  of  dreams; 
Night,  with  the  sickle-moon  engarners  wheat, 
And  binds  the  sheaves  of  stars  beneath  her  feet. 

i 
Rest,  weary  heart,  and  every  flight-worn  bird; 

The  brooklet  of  the  meadow  lies  unstirred; 
Sleep,  every  soul,  against  a  comrade  breast, 
God  grant  you  peace,  and  guard  you  in  your  rest ! 


[75] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

A  NAMELESS  PRAYER 

Reach  down  Thy  hands,  O  Christ, 

And  lift  this  sinking  form; 
Thou,  Christ  upon  the  cross, 

Still  thou  life's  madd'ning  storm! 

Stretch  forth  Thy  arms,  O  Christ, 

Weary  am  I  of  pain ; 
Take  Thou  my  broken  heart, 

And  make  it  whole  again. 

THE  VISIONARY 

He  stole  the  pennies  on  a  dead  man's  eyes, 

To  buy  him  bread  who  spilled  the  gold  of  song, 
He  struck  at  error ;  with  the  right  was  strong. 

The  future  shall  his  dreams  materialize! 

God's  golden  bird,  loosened  from  Paradise, 
Died    unbeknown,    a-near   a   wayside    inn. 
A  breast-wound  showed  where  late  a  grief  had  been- 

They  laid  two  pennies  on  the  dead  man's  eyes. 


[76] 


LYRICS    OF    A    LAD 

LAMENT 

Lady,  your  heart  has  turned  to  dust, 

Your  wail  is  taken  by  the  sea; 
The  wind  is  knocking  at  my  heart, 

And  will  not  let  me  be. 

Your  moaning  smites  me  in  my  dreams, 

And  I  must  sorrow  till  I  die; 
And  I  shall  rove,  and  I  shall  weep, 

Till  in  the  grave  I  lie. 


AFTER  THE  MARTYRDOM 

They  threw  a  stone,  you  threw  a  stone, 

I  threw  a  stone  that  day; 
Although  their  sharpness  bruised  his  flesh 

He  had  no  word  to  say. 

But  for  the  moan  he  did  not  make, 

To-day  I  make  my  moan; 
And  for  the  stone  I  threw  at  him 

My  heart  must  bear  a  stone. 


[77] 


LYRICS  OF  A  LAD,  PRINTED  IN  AN  EDITION  OF 
1000  COPIES  BY  THE  RALPH  FLETCHER  SEYMOUR 
COMPANY.  CHICAGO,  NOVEMBER  MCMXIV. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
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